Santa’s Ride brings joy to children spending holidays in the hospital
Sorry, reindeer; Santa’s going to be riding a Harley this
year. At least that’s his mode of transportation next Tuesday, Dec. 10, for
“Santa’s Ride,” an annual charity event in which police officers escort Santa
on a countywide tour on motorcycles, SUVs, and police cruisers to collect
donated toys for hospitalized children.
year. At least that’s his mode of transportation next Tuesday, Dec. 10, for
“Santa’s Ride,” an annual charity event in which police officers escort Santa
on a countywide tour on motorcycles, SUVs, and police cruisers to collect
donated toys for hospitalized children.
The group will stop at several elementary schools along the
way, including Belvedere and Columbia, in the Mason District, while students
and community members will line up along the road to welcome them.
way, including Belvedere and Columbia, in the Mason District, while students
and community members will line up along the road to welcome them.
Santa’s ride has gotten so big—it involves the Fairfax County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, and the police
departments of Falls Church, Herndon, and Vienna—that it’s actually split into
two, with north and south routes through the county.
The public is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to donation
boxes at various county offices by Dec. 9. There’s a box in the lobby of the
Mason District Government Center on Columbia Pike. On Dec. 10, students from Robinson Secondary School will
sort the toys by gender and age group.
boxes at various county offices by Dec. 9. There’s a box in the lobby of the
Mason District Government Center on Columbia Pike. On Dec. 10, students from Robinson Secondary School will
sort the toys by gender and age group.
Law enforcement officers deliver them on Dec. 11 to children
with cancer at Inova Children’s Hospital in Falls Church, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
in Washington, D.C., and Fisher House at
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
with cancer at Inova Children’s Hospital in Falls Church, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
in Washington, D.C., and Fisher House at
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
“We just want to put a smile on their face. Some of these
children may never leave the hospital or see their next birthday,” said PFC
Harold Morris, with the Fairfax County Police Department’s motorcycle squad.
children may never leave the hospital or see their next birthday,” said PFC
Harold Morris, with the Fairfax County Police Department’s motorcycle squad.
4 responses to “Santa’s Ride brings joy to children spending holidays in the hospital”
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When approximate time of arrival is known for both Belvedere and Columbia Elementary Schools, will post it here. Fun to witness and see all the smiling faces of the children as they greet Santa on his motorcycle!
UPDATE: Santa's ride is scheduled to arrive approximately 3 pm at Belvedere Elementary. No stop will be made this year at Columbia Elementary.
IMPORTANT CANCELLATION! Due to Fairfax County Public Schools not being in session tomorrow, Dec. 10, because of anticipated snow, the Santa's Ride visit will not take place. Sorry.
Glad to see it canceled. "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof", thus building a wall of separation between Church & State." TJ